(VOVworld) – Fatah officials arrived in the Gaza strip Monday to continue talks with Hamas in a bid to form a Palestinian unity government.

Fatah and Hamas leaders hold hands after announcing a reconciliation agreement. (Photo: AFP)

The negotiations are focused on selecting candidates for the government’s ministries. Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouq said the new government will not be dominated by any faction and will prepare for general elections next year and for the reconciliation and reconstruction of the Gaza strip. Last week Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said incumbent Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah will lead the unity government and Hamas did not oppose this appointment. The same day, Israel approved a plan to build 50 new residential areas in eastern Jerusalem on the eve of Pope Francis’s visit there.